The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces last week in Anabta. Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian man and threatened to demolish his family’s home in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also rammed a Palestinian vehicle in Ras Karkar, opening fire at the driver and passengers, injuring 3, including 2 with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in Talfit and vandalized 10 vehicles in Beit Iksa. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians in Ras Karkar. 51 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Jenin, including Hamas member Adnan Hamarsheh. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities closed the Haram al-Sharif compound for Muslim worshippers, allowing Israeli settlers to tour the compound. Israeli forces also demolished a house in Jabel Mukaber and a commercial structure in Sur Baher. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 704 Palestinians, including 305 children. Israel said that its military has attacked 400 sites in Gaza and assassinated 3 members of Hamas. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. Israel said it killed 10 militants who had tried to enter Zikim by sea. In Syria, Israeli forces fired artillery at what it said were militants near the Golan Heights. (AJ 10/23; AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; WAFA 10/25)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5.pm. at least 5,791 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 3,600 women and children, and 16,297 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 95 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 27 children. More than 1,833 have been injured, including at least 360 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 27,781 housing units have been destroyed and 150,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The Indonesian Hospital, the largest hospital in northern Gaza, lost power for a period of time overnight. 8 trucks carrying aid, including 5 with water, 2 with food, and 1 with medical supplies, entered Gaza (AJ 10/23; AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; AJ 10/25)

25-year-old Palestinian Arafat Hamdan died in the Ofer Prison, a day after Omar Daraghmeh died at the Megiddo Prison. Hamdan was arrested by Israeli forces on 10/22. The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council urged the Red Cross to visit the 2 Israeli prisons and investigate the deaths. (AJ 10/23; HA, WAFA 10/24; WAFA, WAFA 10/25)

PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said hospitals in Gaza were no longer able to receive new patients, saying 12 hospitals were no longer operational due to Israeli airstrikes or lack of fuel and that 65 doctors and nurses have been killed by Israel since 10/7. (AJ 10/23)

Israel dropped leaflets in Gaza saying Israel will provide security and monetary rewards for information on where Israeli and foreign captives are being kept. (AJ 10/23; HA 10/24)

Israeli attorney general Galia Baharav-Miara approved an emergency regulation to allow Israel to detain members of Hamas for 90 days without access to a lawyer. (HA 10/24)

The New York Times published an investigation into what Israel called evidence that an errant rocket caused the explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 10/17, finding that the Israeli-presented video did not prove that a rocket fired by Islamic Jihad caused the explosion. The Times suggested that the video footage pointed to a projectile fired from the Nahal Oz area of Israel at Gaza as the cause. (NYT 10/24)

French president Emmanuel Macron visited PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, who called for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression. Macron had visited Israel earlier in the day, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron called for the international coalition fighting ISIS to also fight Hamas and said that 30 French nationals were killed by militants during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. (AJ 10/23; AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 10/24; AP 10/25; HA 10/26)

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi spoke with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen, urging steps be undertaken to prevent further escalation and establish a lasting peace. (AJ, WAFA 10/24)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to not interfere with humanitarian aid for Gaza. Biden also spoke with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. is not calling for a ceasefire as a “ceasefire right now really only benefits Hamas.” (AJ, HA 10/23; HA, NYT, REU 10/24)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the Hamas operation did not happen in a vacuum, referring to “56 years of suffocating occupation” and that the Hamas operation did not justify Israeli “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called on Guterres to resign. Foreign Minister Cohen canceled a meeting with Guterres. Israel also said it would refuse visas to UN officials. (AJ 10/23; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 10/24; AJ, REU, WAFA 10/25; AP, WAFA 10/26)

At the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister al-Maliki called on the council to act to stop Israeli massacres of Palestinians, labelling them savage and systematic. Iranian UN ambassador Saeed Iravani said the U.S. was exacerbating the conflict by providing “unwavering support for the [Israeli] occupation.” Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said the governments that remain silent on Israeli attacks on civilians are “participating in the crimes.” Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift its siege on Gaza. Foreign Minister Cohen rejected calls for a ceasefire. (AJ 10/23; HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; AP, AP 10/25)

NBC News reported that 24 U.S. soldiers suffered minor injuries in attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq on 10/18. (AJ 10/24)

Florida governor, and republican presidential candidate, Ron DeSantis, banned the group Students for Justice in Palestine, falsely claiming it supports terrorism. (HA 10/24; AJ 10/25)

The Council on American-Islamic Relations called the Biden administration’s refusal to call for a ceasefire “unacceptable.” (AJ 10/23; HA 10/25)

Palestine Legal said it has responded to 260 incidents of people in the U.S. being targeted for supporting Palestine, including people being fired and losing job opportunities. (AJ 10/24)

Japan donated $10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza, including $7 million to UNRWA and $3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. (WAFA 10/24)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to his injuries after 74 days in intensive care after being shot by Israeli forces in the neck near Ramallah on 5/14. Israeli settlers began construction work around a spring in Wadi al-Malih. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Nablus, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces seized electric cables and an excavator in as-Samu. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Deir Balut, Silwad, Sur Baher, al-Ubeidiya, Wadi Abu Freiha, Hebron, Qabatiya, Meithalun, and Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/26; WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

Kahanist Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party called the Palestinian Israeli deputy speaker of the Knesset Ahmad Tibi a terrorist before being forcefully removed from the Knesset podium he was speaking from. Ben-Gvir’s smear happened after he refused to address Tibi as “Mr. Speaker.” (HA 7/26; MEMO, TOI 7/27)

Tunisian president Kais Saied ousted the Tunisian government and froze the parliament in what was said to be a coup. Tunisian forces also stormed the Al Jazeera offices in Tunis and expelled the staff from the premises. Tunisians had taken to the street on 7/25 to protest the government after a new COVID-19 spike and continued economic difficulties. (AJ 7/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

In Lebanon, Najib Mikati secured 72 of 118 votes in the Lebanese parliament to be approved as the new prime minister-elect. Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister-elect on 7/15 after failing to form a government 9 months after being picked to do so. Mikati has been Lebanon’s prime minister twice before, in 2005 and 2011-14. (AJ, REU 7/25; AJ, AJ, AP, F24, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi agreed, during a meeting at the White House, that all U.S. combat troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2021, leaving only U.S. personnel for advisory roles. (HA, MEMO 7/26; MEE, REU 7/27)

4 members of congress, Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), urged the Biden administration to speak out against companies that sell cyber intrusion tools, such as NSO Group, and to consider sanctioning such companies and the regimes that use their tools. The members’ call follows reporting from 7/18 that NSO Group, with approval from the Israeli government, sold its Pegasus spyware to foreign governments, which have used the spyware on journalists, activists, and heads of other countries. (Tom Malinowski 7/26; HA, MEE 7/27)

Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R) urged the Florida State Board of Administration to place Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever on the state’s list of companies to be examined in relation to boycotts of Israel. The move comes as Ben & Jerry’s announced on 7/19 that it will stop selling its ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and end its licensing to an Israeli-based franchise. (HA, HILL 7/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 14 Palestinians, including 12 during late-night raids in Issawiyya; 2 were arrested in the Old City. (WAFA 1/5; PCHR 1/9)

The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution demanding that the Iraqi government end the mandate which allows foreign troops in the country. U.S. president Donald Trump said that Iraq would have to pay for an airbase the U.S. had built during its occupation of Iraq and that the U.S. would sanction Iraq. Iran announced that it was leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action due to U.S. violations of the deal. Iran, however, will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. (AJ 1/5; AJ, HA 1/6)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian), Tulkarm r.c. (fatally shooting a 2d Palestinian); bulldozes 20 dunams of land in, fires on residential areas of Rafah. Israel also reinforces its security presence in East Jerusalem, fearing demonstrations against the war in Iraq after Friday prayers; 30,000 protest in Gaza city, smaller rallies are held in West Bank towns, but nothing is reported in East Jerusalem; the IDF fires on demonstrators nr. Qalandia, wounding 2. (HA 3/28; PR 4/2; PCHR 4/3)

U.S. continues preparations for strike on Iraq, including deployment of stealth, B-52 heavy bombers. Regarding a diplomatic resolution, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says "We have made clear this is no time for negotiations." Damascus Declaration states (Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE) issue statement saying that Saddam Hussein alone bears responsibility for consequences of his refusal to cooperate with the UN. (MM 11/12; MENA, Radio Qatar, al-Rayah, RE, SANA, SATN 11/12 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WT 11/13)

Israel begins accepting bids for settlement construction at Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym in East Jerusalem. (MM 11/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/13; MEI 11/16)

At Rafah airport, Israeli, PA teams practice security procedures for checking passengers. (WT 11/13)

Italian police arrests PKK leader Ocalan when he arrives in Rome on flight fr. Russia. Turkey asks for his extradition. (WP 11/14; WP 11/15; NYT, WP 11/17) (see 11/4)

Iraq accepts Pres. Bush's terms for meeting of military commanders to discuss full cease-fire, leading admin. officials to hope for quick release of POWs and end of Gulf war [BADS 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, LAT, WP 3/1].

Iraq's ambassador to the UN formally notifies Sec. Council that Iraq intends to comply with all 12 Sec. Council Gulf resolutions [INA 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; LAT, WP, CSM 3/1]; U.S. proposes draft resolution for permanent cease-fire, draft is accepted in principal by 4 other permanent members of Sec. Council [NYT, WP 3/1].

Prominent Kuwaiti opposition figure Hamid Yoaan is wounded in apparent assassination attempt in Kuwait City, raising fears that instability will continue until emir visibly assumes control [WP 3/1; MET 3/12].

U.S. Justice Dep't. indicts Iraqi gov't. officials and former executive of an Italian bank thought to have been used by Saddam Hussein to finance part of his weapons buildup [LAT 3/1].

Gulf war allied losses: 126 killed in combat, 79 of which were U.S. soldiers; 56 MIAs, including 35 Americans; 13 POWs, including 9 Americans. 213 Americans were wounded. Iraqi losses: U.S. military says allies destroyed or otherwise defeated 42 Iraqi divisions, leaving only 1 division intact; allies destroyed or captured more than 3,000 Iraqi tanks, 1,857 armored vehicles, and 2,140 artillery pieces. More than 80,000 POWs were taken; no counts are issued for Iraqi dead [NYT, LAT 3/1].

Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh praises liberation of Kuwait: "for the first time, the international community showed its unified will. . ."; adds that "time is ripe" for renewed efforts to solve Israeli-Palestinian conflict [LAT, NYT 3/1].

Other European countries welcome cease-fire; several Arab nations express relief, call for healing; Israel lifts state of emergency [NYT, LAT, WP 3/1; JPI 3/9; MET 3/12]; PLO Exec. Committee welcomes cease-fire and says war "has revealed the urgent need for a solution to all the region's problems" [MEM 3/1].

UAE Pres. Shaykh Zayid donates $500,000 to al-Maqassed hospital in E. Jerusalem [WAKH 2/28 in FBIS 2/28].

U.S. begins investigation into allegation that Jordan defied UN embargo and smuggled weapons into Iraq during Gulf war (cf. 3/15) [NYT 3/1].

Egyptian Armed Forces Central Command reports that to date 9 Egyptian soldiers have been killed and 74 have been wounded [CDS 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].

Israeli Treasury reports that Gulf war caused estimated $3.5 billion in economic losses to Israel [MAA 3/1 in FBIS 3/5].

EC says it is donating $700,000 as emergency humanitarian aid to buy water purification equipment for Iraq [MEM 2/28].